Inspiration often comes from unexpected places. During a recent visit to Ireland, while walking through Kinvara, a small seaside village approx 15 miles south of Galway City, I noticed this utility cover in the sidewalk. Marked with “uisce” (water) and “WSCR” (water service control box), these wonderfully detailed access covers can be seen throughout much of the country. Beyond the lovely design and patterning, they convey a pride in workmanship and an attention to detail that I find inspiring.

Many others have found inspiration from Ireland’s manholes and other access covers, and put that inspiration to great use. One such artist is Chen Jiale, the creator of “Water Marks of Dublin,” an exhibit featuring prints, made from the ancient Chinese water mark printing method, representing the variety of design to be found in Dublin’s manhole covers.

Of course, such wonderful covers are in no way unique to Ireland, and the deep appreciation for them throughout the world can be seen in many places around the web. Here are just a few examples…check them out, and you might never view utility covers the same again.

• Flickr manhole group
• Manhole Covers & Street Markers from Japan
• Old French Manhole Covers
• Hatchcover art in Seattle
• Manhole Covers of the World – Dan Heller Photography (includes Ann Knight’s relief map cover in Seattle, WA)
• Sewer History: Photos and Graphics – Manhole Covers As Art

A little late getting around to sharing this, but Haverhill, MA was recently featured on Chronicle (Ch.5/WCVB, Boston, Mar. 24, 2011). The piece highlighted Andre Dubus III’s recent book Townie, a memoir of his often rough childhood in Haverhill, and was strewn with boxing analogies. Watch a segment of the episode

Dubus’ own story is that of a troubled-teen turned boxer turned acclaimed writer. Perhaps in some ways it parallels the story of Haverhill over the last few decades, transitioning from a city still reeling from the post-industrial collapse, struggling to regain its footing, to the revitalization that the city is enjoying today as the brick buildings of now-defunct shoe factories are transformed into modern restaurants, pubs, shops and art galleries.

Photo at right: A series of public murals decorate downtown Haverhill’s streets and walkways, each depicting a bit of the city’s rich history. This painting, created by West Newbury MA artist Alan Pearsall with help from local middle school students, is based on a local boxing club during the 1800′s. (Click image to enlarge)

Watch the full episode (4 parts):
Chronicle: Haverhill Townie – pt 1
Chronicle: Haverhill Townie – pt 2
Chronicle: Haverhill Townie – pt 3
Chronicle: Haverhill Townie – pt 4

Treehugger recently published an interesting article on the concept of the standing desk, focusing on the offices of Herman Miller as a case-study, both as a designer of such workspaces (Herman Miller’s Action Office, 1964) and as a potential user group (looking at the Herman Miller’s offices today)… The Standing Desk: Why Hasn’t It Caught On?

Over the years, there have been many purported benefits of using a desk that allows one to stand, beyond the obvious increase in choice and freedom of movement it provides:

- Improved productivity
- Increased energy
- Better circulation
- Reduced wrist strain
- Reduced back and neck pain
- Greater mobility

While the vast majority of my own work time is still spent at my main desk, in a traditional seated position, I really value the ability to break up the work day with other options. I’ve long enjoyed the option of a standing workspace, and even found it to be helpful in breaking creative blocks. I built a small, secondary desk at standing height in a little corner (photo at right), which I primarily use for hand illustration. I also use it in combination with a BioFit stool as a quiet place to write with a laptop.

“Man’s physical machine has evolved to do many things well but no single thing continuously…Proportioning some of our work to standup work stations would do more than anything else to overcome sedentary decline. The office can be a kinetic, active, alert vigorous environment.”

- Robert Probst, The Office: A facility based on change, 1986

I’d love to hear what works for others. What’s your workspace like, and is it working for you?